She used commercial materials to build dream 2-story ADU for $30K

Christi Azevedo has spent years machining metal to make furniture so when she wanted to build a fast, fire-resistant, easily-configurable backyard home, she created a prototype from insulated metal panels.
"The furniture business gave me the skills for working at a scale that is half furniture half building," she explains. In 2015 we filmed her San Francisco boiler room conversion that also relied on metal, but with this build she hopes to create a blueprint for an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) that at 200-square feet "was designed to be a suitable size to share the backyard of a city lot."
She believes the materials will make this easy to replicate on any size lot. "A post and beam light gauge steel frame and insulated metal panels are components that can be walked through a tradesman entrance and easily assembled."
In her Grass Valley, CA backyard, she and a friend with no construction skills put up the framing without help. The framing and panels were installed in two days, the cladding took another 2 days and the windows one more, so she estimates the home's envelope took 5 days to erect and cost $30,000.
The home can carry a snow load of 35 pounds per square foot and the panels are insulated for heat and cold (R42 in the roof and R24 in the walls).
The then height limit of 16 feet (it's now 20’) led to the home's staggered-height volumes which make the interior feel in contrast to the exterior's boxlike feel.
Azevedo Design www.christiazevedo.com
Photo credit: César Rubio www.cesarrubio.com; Instagram @cesarrubiophotography

[@disuba]

This lady is so freaking cool and unassumingly practicing all her ideas to the max. I loooove exposed materials and things looking exactly like how they are without any fake stuff. The building is as frank and practical as her. Lovely!

[@OmahaSand]

She talked waaaay too much. And after all of her talking the Company she got the panels and framing from .. Was left out. That's alot to wade through to end up with an empty cup at the end. F for interview skills on this ... They just let her ramble .....and she did.

[@JB-ru2zb]

This is a very bauhaus like house philosophy. Also letting the secret out that you can use industrial use construction materials as a fantastic alternative to conventional residential construction materials.

[@christophersteves]

The challenge I find with the “secret” here is time. You can use some of these more industrial/commercial materials but it takes a huge amount of time to sort out the details and all the coordination that goes into planning. For the everyday homeowner looking to add an ADU, it’s unlikely they’d have the time to make this a viable option at a bargain price.

[@Rooftopaccessorizer]

i had never considered that there was a distinction between the two materials.

[@stcredzero]

@@christophersteves But a startup company putting together housing kits would have the time!

[@stcredzero]

@@nameberry220 I am sure this aspect could be greatly improved. So that doesn't invalidate the general approach. Points off for not thinking 1 or 2 steps deeper.

[@LeeStyxx-vg8vj]

@@stcredzero yes, and they’re not available to the vast majority when they’ve upped the price about 10x’s that of the materials. People have looked into prefabricated tiny homes, most cheapest ones start at $50,000 and go up from there.

[@ClassicAudiobooksInspirations]

😲I love her passion! This could be the solution to many seeking to own home.

[@donwyates]

I really, REALLY like this structure in so many ways. I'm not surprised she's a woodworker - I love her work. And she's quite amazing.

[@stcredzero]

This is dynamite! If This technique were combined with compatible modules that incorporated the plumbing, kitchen, wiring, and bathroom, this would enable super economic pre-fab factory home building. This would result in houses which involved less than 1 week of on-site labor. The fact that there is already an industrial infrastructure that could support this at scale blows many of the pre-fab home startups out of the water! EDIT: I came up with a name for this style: "Micro-Brutalist."

[@Tyme_flies]

Love the name ! It works ❤

[@focusedfreebird]

This would solve the affordable housing problem.

[@rmbarnes672]

I think the affordable housing problem is intentional 😢

[@a.leehilliard4716]

You would have to keep big companies looking to rip people off out of it.

[@glowinthadark]

❤

[@teresitastidem2846]

More of this kind of living quarters needs to be put through out cities and even rural areas. It would solve a lot of housing issues. Giving answers to homeless problems. Example: Gutting old structures leaving the facade and making this structure inside. No worries of code for the older structure, plumbing or other issues. Just a thought.

[@Tyme_flies]

A very well thought out thought! Write up your proposal and send it to Washington. Im not being funny , i think you on to something. ❤

[@tribequest9]

homeless people are homeless by choice for 99% of them due to drugs, you are not going to solve homeless anything until you can fix why people are homeless to begin with, hint it's not due to lack of housing.

[@brtko_marek]

this is wery high standard living compared to the rest of the world

[@drewcipher896]

It's a nice thought, but the availability of small affordably built homes isn't why there's a housing crisis. It's the greed of national property management corporations and private landlords causing the problem. And the government offers no protection because they're paid not to. This isn't a fear mongering conspiracy, it's just the sad state of things in the US.

[@eattherich9215]

@@drewcipher896: there are all sorts of solutions to housing, but the Ponzi scheme that benefits the already wealthy cannot be allowed to collapse.

[@kimmfitzgerald434]

A favorite builder. Still go back to see the boiler room video from time to time for the inspiration. Sensible, economical, and interesting. Love it.

[@Eliz2011abc]

This is a very smart way to build a home. It's cost effective, don't need to worry about rodents, termites and all the other issues that goes with stick build homes. 👍👍

[@susankeith326]

Rodents can get into homes built of any material.

[@heythave]

Love it.

[@Eliz2011abc]

@@susankeith326 If sewer drains and pipes from the outside are not properly installed of course they will get in and burrow into the walls. However, there is no wall cavities for them to burrow into and hide. I watch a lot of Twin Home Experts and learned a lot about how rats gets into homes. Of course, the other alternative is if she leaves the door open and the rats walk in 🤔

[@drewcipher896]

Her energy is infectious. Projects with limitations always lead to the most interesting solutions.

[@ericadamcollins]

Thanks for another original project. I love the guerrilla tactics of her construction and the totally out-of-the-box solutions for furniture, bathroom, etc... Great ideas!

[@wakememckinney7126]

I knew I recognized her. Her boiler room tiny house video that was uploaded in 2015?! I watched that. The thought of that tiny home being stuck in my head since then is crazy. She looks great!

[@sjladuke75]

I recall that video. It's a phenomenal use of space, beautifully designed! She's so creative & talented.

[@rewdymeyer]

I just love this woman. She is so thoughtful and cool and has built such innovative spaces. Love seeing videos like this. Thanks.

[@SpikeSPS]

She is like the Amy Sedaris of home design! She's as neat as her structure!

[@stable-shadow]

Simple, great material, everyone has different taste..... not totally my cup o tea, but ya got to love her passion and her point of view.... cool stuff! 🕊️

[@AlexAlex-gj4jd]

Inspirational! I've been trying to add a second story/ADU to my ranch house with a very low budget! It could work for me!!

[@Uzone62]

Loved her simple get it done approach and her sound effects are awesome . A kindred spirit for sure 🙌 such a great result

[@jaclynvassallo7604]

So glad to see Christi again! I loved her and her work from the boiler room video. It was great to see her build knowledge evolution with this project. Love that her design-build ethic is ground in real-world practically while still achieving an honest, human-scaled aesthetic.

[@wilty5]

Christi’s website is listed under the “more” section of this video, I believe the website also lists her email address and or there may be contact info there. Many are wanting to know the name of the company that she bought the panels from. Perhaps she can consult and give this and other specific advice and information about this build. It would be nice if she did a podcast to help answer some of these questions. Kirsten may be able to help get answers if Christi’s website doesn’t. Kirsten is probably pretty busy and doesn’t have time but it would be nice if she would do podcast with some of the builders that she profiles on her channel, that would greatly increase the knowledge for people who are interested in duplicating the innovative, interesting, and clever designs profiled on her channel.

[@frankjarvie643]

This woman is a genius. Probably the most innovative build I’ve ever seen.

[@svenswwis436]

It's nice to see an innovative person passionate about their project. The result is incredible. 😀

[@henrietta9206]

loooove the Broiler room, happy to see Christi yearsss on...both Christi and Kristen - thank you ..u r awesome!

[@jimjimgl3]

She seemed perfect for your channel. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able to explain her process in an understandable way.

[@kittimcconnell2633]

If she painted the exterior and roof a light color, it would be cool in summer. Even if the interior remains cool, I'd want the area around the house to not be heated up by a darker exterior. She explains that the exterior panels are 3 inches thick rated R24, that's great. Roof is R42 and 5 inches thick. I know a few people who would love this aesthetic, too.

[@ravent3016]

I recall that boiler tiny house and really liked the aesthetic and design philosophy. This is in the same spirit - kudos! I think having something beneath the mattress for ventilation is a good idea, though.

[@truthbetold2611]

Amazing individual, wise approach in every way. Love listening to Christi! Many great ideas to consider for building my tiny home. Thank you Kirsten and Christi!

[@sjaron23]

This is brilliant use of materials - I love the esthetic too.

[@sjladuke75]

Everything about this is ingenious & beautiful. She underestimates her skill level: she is so talented & has the ability to visualize the final project. This is the answer to my fears of living in NoCal with its fire challenges.

[@280zone]

I love the house, the enthusiasm and her. Beautiful solution!

[@bil2ab]

Absolutely LOVE this... very nice! For the first half of the video was thinking to myself, Christi looks so familiar. Glad she's still at it since the 2015 boiler room project! 😊

[@kfing1]

Inspired. I think I like this more than the idea of a tiny house on wheels. Simple, sturdy design. Love ❤

[@chezmoi42]

If you want to see those two ideas combined, check out the channel for Incredible Tiny Homes: THOW made with metal panels.

[@brettwebb4613]

This is exactly the building material I've been searching for. I'm planning on building out west in the near future. Thanks I love all your videos!

[@clarissaturcios2346]

Look up the channel incredible tiny homes. They make tiny homes out of this material... Right now they have a 25k tiny home for sell

[@BillyBobbobbob]

Wow !!!!! This is freaking awesome. She dove into my brain and builds my dream style.

[@merette6702]

omg i loved the boiler room unit so seeing this new video with her is awesome!

[@michellewilson8211]

Another great video! Thank you to everyone!

[@aszilagyi100]

Christi Azevedo is a treasure ! I’m so impressed, efficient use of materials, used as art, while living well! ❤

[@kenlodge3399]

I think Gustav Stickley would be proud, given that all his ideas are epitomized in this one build - 100 years post date. Boiler room conversion: It's beautiful if you ask me, for those who love simplicity and economy. And no one can match her passion, but again its the simplicity that turned my head. This is what I've been looking for always believing in this kind of design. It's everything I want .

[@rushja]

This is the best property show around. I'm not even sure what's number 2 in the list? This is so far ahead of everything ❤

[@brianmombourquette2673]

Brilliant concept and execution. Someone should be stealing (buying) this idea for kit ADUs

[@vinceprice4089]

Fresh, versatile, modern, efficient! A creative design that is very affordable. Christi could fix the housing crisis in this country. We need more creative problem solvers l her.

[@donovanreimer2324]

Terrific house, great explanations, perfect pacing and questions. Wonderful pragmatism. One of the best tiny house videos ever.

[@zia_kat]

i love her work so much!

[@philiq18]

I remember her from a previous episode. I was a fan of her build then and this one is just as good. Very much her aesthetic.

[@jessebradin8992]

The speed and practicality of this woman’s thought process was really cool to listen to!

[@Good-DaySunshine]

Kirsten, I love everything you do, your family is fantastic. The first video I saw years ago was the Portland, Oregon twin houses clad with pizza cans on the outside. I watched it again and I see many people are just too structured to be able to see the creativity and hung up on the lady. I found her to be friendly and easy going....and their son living there is no big deal- what if he's in college. (plus its not nice to judge) Keep doing what you guys do- your hardcore fans love you!!! ❤

[@5000cache]

I love these spaces. The designs and use of materials are stellar. This woman rocks.

[@PaulSpades]

I love this lady. It's a great space with a distinctive and completely honest look and feel.

[@allonesame6467]

Love the elegance of no finish work, no fussing around with miter saws and trimming. No Fluff! Ahh!

[@a.leehilliard4716]

This is the best and most relatable video you have ever done. I could do this! Amazing.

[@susanr5546]

Impressive. A pleasant downstairs with a kitchen, dining area and a small living room. The upstairs with the bedroom and the bath. Quite innovative! How to use materials that are pretty inexpensive to such a pleasant result! Thanks, Kirsten and Christi Azevedo!

[@CatrinaMulqueen]

This woman is awsome. The whole package… personality for days, in shape,full of life, self sufficient…so impressed w her ability to build, so smart. She could turn this into a business like the tiny house business. She could design different models of her metal houses and put them up on the website or in a catalog. or not.?? I just enjoyed watching her enjoy showing off the fruits of her labor.

[@amaury1264]

Amazing. Need more people like her who can creatively problem solve.

[@AnnetteLovesFreedom]

"No Fluff" - great! I absolutely adore what this woman has done here!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

I am thinking about an adu and 2 story like that would be a plus. Thanks for a quality video.

[@kqpro5649]

Great home, I love that it's introducing more metal material for residential home here. It's so versatile.

[@MESTER47]

this is inspiring, she is just an awesome builder. thank you for sharing.

[@bigcarlover]

She nailed it when she said, right at the end, "it's kind of half furniture/half building." That she has applied her furniture skills to make such a cool, functional building is awesome!

[@JamesG714]

These two totally crushed it! I love it

[@ALLworldCONSTRUCTIONLLC]

“He doesn’t have any training in construction. He just put the sucker up there and put some screws in” lol

[@goldenhoneybee8128]

Westmen have a bio-spirit to create. This is how Western civilization was built Sadly, Westmen have been under attack for over a century

[@Tyme_flies]

Made me laugh too. 😂

[@suzyq9961]

This is brilliant, I adore her energy!

[@phibian00]

the context shown via aerial shots give an idea of the sorrounding community and infrastructures. looking at the story at various scales provides adds layers of visual interest.

[@alysonfisher3611]

That's really pretty awesome & so is the lady that designed, made, & owns it!! She really thinks out-of-the-box when coming up with ideas! I mean who would've thought of it right!😊❤

[@Swagg3r3d]

omg, when the video started, I thought, "I know this person somehow" and then the later cut to her earlier ADU blew me away because that was the video that got me hooked on this channel. Amazing

[@thatstherecipe]

excellent work and one of the best approaches ive seen

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Love the way this lady's brain works! Cool space. I remember that boiler room!

[@eternaldelight648]

Grass Valley!!! Go green, Cali! Big hug.

[@booboobearbaby]

This woman is my muse, I always wonder why nobody is using commercial materials to build a tiny house with very raw industrial components in it and now this ADU checks a lot of my boxes. Sadly she is in the state, if she is in Canada, I'll definitely pay her to design one for me, a tiny one, 188sf per code. Thanks for the tour of her genius ADU. LOVE it!!

[@heythave]

Uh, I bet you can do a lot with zooming.

[@skyeseaborn1170]

This was awesome! She is amazing!

[@artanndoni7048]

You did all that and my neighbour can’t even cut the grass at her front yard. Kudos you are amazing

[@TheLsd76]

Amazing lady, beautiful spacious house. She's full of great ideas, sending a good 'can do' vibe on top of it all. TY for sharing!

[@ilovealexo]

Christi is adorable and so funny and her build is amazing ❤

[@UhxOhxDisaster]

I LOVE this home it feels roomy and a ton of storage

[@Tyme_flies]

This whole scenario should be put to use if you live anywhere near high burn areas ! ❤

[@heythave]

I would still use it in non high burn areas.

[@ckm-mkc]

I've been thinking about building with insulated metal panels for years, glad to see someone doing it. These are generally used for walk-in refrigerators - one issues is moisture buildup, but it's no worse that a really tight house, you need an ERV.

[@carolcox302]

God, she speaks so quickly, especially to an Aussie ear! Hugely entertaining. Love her passion. Clever woman. Thanks for the fun journey!

[@kb3716]

This fabulous woman could be my daughter, yet I would gladly and with much appreciation sit at her knee. As someone said in the comments below, this is a box entirely outside of the box. Bravo, Ms. Azevedo and the Dirksen team. You rock!

[@gigilaroux762]

I’m obsessed with Grass Valley it’s an adorable town and the fire concerns are no joke. This is such a great product it would be fantastic if they made a full modern box house out of this material.

[@karateana7593]

I love her enthusiasm for the construction.

[@tinyhomesincanada]

Wow! GOOSEBUMPS when a woman goes her own way and builds her own space!

[@Brian_Moser1118]

this is so brilliant. It's simple and clean

[@cmsmith3010]

I love this gal! I love her enthusiasm!! Very Cool house!!!

[@dynamodave21]

This is such a cool idea, and it's fire-rated, which is a huge plus if you're in a fire zone, but even if you aren't the insulation values alone justify the method. And it's amazing that metal panels, which are usually only sold commercially can beat the socks off standard construction and even pre-fab... The interior could easily be finished and it would probably still end up cheaper than any other option... I see this as a real winner!

[@keelybird8645]

Christi is so fun! I love the space she has created. I would love to buy her a beer and hear more of how she sees the world.

[@WrongTimeWatch]

I have watched maybe 30 of your videos, and i recognized this ladt from one of your older videos. How crazy is that.

[@MHKARAM]

In love with how real the decor and cleanliness level... and the Les

[@Mr.Grumbdy]

Very cool home. Thank you for sharing .

[@tcpip9999]

fantastic! so resourceful and practical

[@nononono3421]

Been saying the biggest contributor to high home prices is the design acceptability peer-pressure. Thankfully younger generations won’t have the same mental block.

[@yamchayaku]

looks great, well insulated and cheap to make. Holy hell, I'd love to have a house like this in my backyard!

[@Nik-ll1nl]

This lady's awesome personality willed this building into existence.

[@veronherrera]

I met this channel watching her bolier room episode, one of my favorites. good to some new material from her.

[@brandonb9873]

Very cool. I've been wondering about building a home like this.

[@catherinelindsay.sculpts]

An excellent and economical home, and suitable for Australia too, being fire proof.

[@nynasargent3988]

Freakin’ fantastic!!!…As always! ✨✨✨ And Christi is one freakin’ creative person! 🧠🧠🧠🧰🪛🔧🛠️🔩⚙️⛓️🧲🏗️🏢💜🎁

[@Alex_Plante]

I'm impressed. A few years ago I put up a metal shed in my backyard, from one of those kits. It took me a week, and I needed help.

[@poerava]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

[@reader649]

I like the way she uses the structure to serve as storage. Except for the windows the bedroom and bath reminds me of a cabin on a Navy or cargo ship. The inside superstructure on these ocean vessels are often exposed or only partially covered with insulation.

[@captainobvious9188]

I've been looking at using these same panels for some time. This is cool that she pulled this off! Totally rad!

[@BobsterAction]

have you found a source for them? I can't find one here in Pheonix AZ.

[@captainobvious9188]

@@BobsterAction I don’t have a local source. I searched out insulated metal panels and light gauge steel buildings and found a bunch of sources that will ship stuff.

[@jawkneekat]

What a funny smart dynamo. I love how her mind works - so practical and solution oriented.

[@Francisco_CS]

Looks awesome!

[@jasonburhan7583]

wow the boiler room is from 2015, been watching your contents for 8 years i supposed😁😁 i love all of it